RZA Talks Kanye West, Directing Russell Crowe at VMAs

From Shaolin to the director’s chair, Wu-Tang’s RZA is slated to direct actor Russell Crowe in the upcoming film “The Man with the Iron Fist.” Following his recent Rock The Bells performance, where RZA and the entire Wu-Tang Clan performed their debut album “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers),” RapFix caught up with the producer during the VMAs.

“I’m about to start working on “The Man with the Iron Fist” and I’m about to direct Russell Crowe so that’s a big job for me,” RZA told RapFix.

It’s well known that the hip-hop producer-cum-actor, who’s appeared in “American Gangster” and “Repo Men,” has been in talks with Quentin Tarantino for several years to make this kung fu film. However, the project, written by and featuring the RZA as a village blacksmith in feudal China, was recently greenlit by Universal Pictures and given a $20 million budget. Now the man who grew up watching martial arts movies will have the rare opportunity to direct his own.

While chatting, the RZA also mentioned that Hollywood wasn’t the only thing that brightened his VMA evening.

“The [Video Music Awards’] ending with Kanye West was a real treat for me and that song he choose was great,” said RZA. “He really closed tonight with a banger.”

“I was excited to see Drake come out with Mary J. Blige and Swizz Beatz,” he continued. “It was a really good energy this year. I’m usually on stage so it was nice to just be in the audience and watch the young bloods do what they do. MTV keep doing what you’re doing, you did a good job this year.”

“The Man With the Iron Fist” begins shooting in Shanghai this December.